Version: 1.0
28 February 2011
SUSTAINABLE URBAN DRAINAGE SYSTEMS
Landscape and Indigenous Plant Species Guideline
1. Introduction
The City of Cape Town’s “Management of Urban Stormwater Impacts Policy” (approved by Council in
2009) stipulates that:In order to reduce impacts of urban stormwater systems on receiving waters, all stormwater
management systems shall be planned and designed in accordance with best practice criteria and
guidelines laid down by Council, to support Water Sensitive Urban Design principles and the following
specific Sustainable Urban Drainage System objectives:
•
•
•
Improve quality of stormwater runoff;
Control quantity and rate of stormwater runoff;
Encourage natural groundwater recharge.
This Policy can be downloaded from: http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/Policies/Pages/default.aspx
2. What is “Water Sensitive Urban Design”?
The deleterious impacts of urbanisation on receiving waters, that is rivers, streams, wetlands,
groundwater and coastal waters, are a worldwide phenomenon. Such impacts include:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Declining water quality
Diminishing groundwater recharge and quality
Degradation of stream channels
Increased overbank flooding
Floodplain expansion
Loss of ecosystem integrity and function
Loss of biodiversity.
In the last 20 years, increasing emphasis internationally has been placed on addressing urbanisation
impacts on natural water bodies, and the guiding principles that have evolved have become known as
Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD).
Catchment, Stormwater and River Management Branch
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28 February 2011
WSUD recognises that the primary reason for deterioration of urban waters is the disruption of the
natural water cycle. From the stormwater management perspective this is a result of the creation of
impervious surfaces, and the concentration and acceleration of stormwater runoff through pipe and
canal networks. Absorption, attenuation, and quality improvement of runoff through natural processes
are lost.
The WSUD concept is incorporated into the abovementioned Policy and is also integral to land use
management principles in the City’s Spatial Development Framework.
3. Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems
Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) is a branch of WSUD dealing specifically with stormwater
management measures which attempt as far as possible to maintain or mimic the natural flow systems
as well as prevent the washoff of urban pollutants to receiving waters.
SUDS include both structural controls and non-structural best practice methods and approaches that are
used to manage stormwater quality and quantity so that the impact on receiving waters such as rivers,
wetlands and the sea is reduced.
“Non-structural measures” may involve planning, institutional and pollution prevention practices which
are intended to prevent or minimize pollutants from entering stormwater runoff and/or reduce the
volume of stormwater requiring management e.g. town planning incentives, stormwater masterplans,
pollution prevention maintenance practices, and public education.
By contrast, “structural controls” are engineered systems such as litter traps, vegetated buffer strips,
swales, infiltration systems, bioretention systems, constructed wetlands, sedimentation basins and
floating treatment systems. They have different functions and must be specifically designed to
accommodate runoff events up to a defined magnitude (volume), and to improve water quality to a
desired level.
The choice of structural SUDS depends on the anticipated quality of the stormwater and is also
influenced by other factors such as the type of the development, location within the catchment, local
geology, biodiversity and societal issues.
While some facilitate movement of stormwater through the landscape (e.g. swales), others slow
velocity, delay runoff peaks and reduce volumes of small to moderate storm events by performing an
infiltration or detention function. Many are capable of improving the quality of stormwater through
interception, filtering, sedimentation, decomposition and uptake of pollutants such as litter, sediment,
oils, metals, nutrients and bacteria. SUDS controls are generally only effective in small to moderate
storms and therefore require alternative / by-pass systems to protect them from damage during
extreme events.
Catchment, Stormwater and River Management Branch
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28 February 2011
4. SUDS and the Role of Landscaping
Often a series of SUDS will be used as this “treatment train” approach has been shown to result in
sequential and cumulative improvement in stormwater quality. Virtually all structural controls can be
integrated into the landscape in an aesthetically pleasing manner, and many are compatible with multifunctional usage of public or private open spaces. Landscaping therefore plays a role in achieving this
beneficial integration within the urban environment.
The plants that are chosen for each SUDS type are also important since certain species and growth
forms will enhance the functionality of the SUDS more than others. Exposure to different periods of
inundation from a few hours to days, weeks or longer also influences which plants are suitable. It is also
important to take local site conditions into consideration e.g. is the soil type dominated by clay, sand or
mixed, is the site exposed in terms of wind or salt spray etc.
From a biodiversity conservation perspective, plants species that are indigenous to Cape Town and the
immediate surrounding area are preferred. If the SUDS location is contiguous with a natural or seminatural area it is recommended that the indigenous species are selected from the local wetlands and
vegetation, in order to maintain the integrity of native gene pools. Notwithstanding the latter
recommendation and aesthetic landscaping objectives, it is important to realize that the plants selected
for SUDS controls must primarily perform a functional role i.e. aide stormwater infiltration, treatment
and conveyance.
To ensure that SUDS controls function optimally, they should be designed with input from the following
disciplines, as appropriate: civil engineering, water quality and hydraulic modeling, ecology, landscape
architecture. The complexity of the SUDS type will determine the extent and level of input required.
Involvement of other role players such as plant growers and nurseries is also important since certain
plants may not be readily available and others may have specific propagation requirements. Ensuring
that sufficient plants are available at the time when landscaping of the SUDS feature has been scheduled
will involve early communication with these service providers.
Regular maintenance of SUDS structural controls is also important since this will ensure that they
function optimally and avoid the need for costly repairs or replacement. The maintenance that is
required specifically for the landscaped and planted components should be clearly defined and
documented during the design phase.
5. SUDS Species List
To provide support on this topic the City of Cape Town has compiled this Guideline and accompanying
SUDS Species list with consultation obtained from ecologists, botanists, landscape architects and
nurseries during and following a workshop that was held in October 2010 (“Planting to enhance Cape
Catchment, Stormwater and River Management Branch
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Town’s stormwater management - Bringing new City policy, landscape architects, contractors and plant
growers together to facilitate implementation of Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems in Cape Town”).
Indigenous species that are usually found growing in different zones of natural wetlands (pools, deep
marsh, shallow marsh, wetland margins etc) were initially selected as primary candidates for use in
SUDS controls. Other indigenous species that may not be typical “wetland” species but are capable of
surviving different periods of inundation were also evaluated. Aspects such as the growth form,
availability and propagation requirements of candidate species were considered.
The list will be updated periodically as new information becomes available e.g. following feedback
regarding certain species proving to be ineffective / inappropriate or other species being recommended.
Table 1: General Information regarding SUDS Types
Table 2: SUDS Species List
6. Approval of SUDS Landscaping and Planting Lists for Specific Developments
The engineering design of all SUDS structural controls with associated SUDS landscape plans and
planting lists for proposed developments must be submitted for approval by the City of Cape Town’s
Catchment, Stormwater and River Management Branch. It is recommended that reference to this
guideline (quote the version number and/or date) should be made in the “SUDS Landscape Plan”.
The City’s Urban Design Branch has a produced a brochure with general guidance on the preparation of
Landscape Plans for developments within Cape Town. For enquiries regarding this information please
contact Ancunel Steyn (Ancunel.steyn@capetown.gov.za).
Feedback on this Landscape and Indigenous Plant Species Guideline document may be provided to:
Candice Haskins [City of Cape Town - Catchment, Stormwater and River Management Branch]
Email: Candice.haskins@capetown.gov.za
Catchment, Stormwater and River Management Branch
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28 February 2011
TABLE 1: General Information regarding SUDS Types *The main function/s of each SUDS type has been listed first with secondary or minor function/s listed
in brackets: C = conveyance; I = infiltration ; T = treatment; D = detention
SUDS Type and
function/s *
Typical
conditions
Filter strip
T (I)
Mostly dry
Exposure to wet conditions /
stormwater pulses
Comments
48 to 72 hours
vegetation must not impede flow,
needs uniform growth form e.g.
grasses
Maintenance requirements
(not all have been listed)
mowing, maintenance of gradient, fix
scour / erosion damage, remove
litter/other debris - NB diffuse flows
mowing, maintenance of design
gradient and check dams if present, fix
scour / erosion damage, remove
litter/other debris
removal of litter & weeds, vegetation
maintenance, maintenance of under
drain structures if present
removal of litter and weeds,
maintenance of surface vegetation,
maintenance of infiltration media
layers (coarse aggregate, geo fabric
etc), annual light tiling
removal of sediments, clear litter trap
at inlet end if present, maintenance of
inflow / outflow structures, vegetation
maintenance around perimeter
Swale
C (T; I)
Mostly dry
48 to 72 hours
vegetation must not impede flow,
needs uniform growth form e.g.
grasses
Bioretention system
T (D)
Mostly dry
48 to 72 hours
many indigenous terrestrial shrub,
flower and groundcover species could
also be appropriate
Infiltration system
I;T
Mostly dry
48 to 72 hours
avoid plants with aggressive root
systems that could disrupt the
underlying infiltration media
SM and WM
around edges
Likely to vary according to
design
no plants in active area, except
perhaps floating treatment systems,
vegetation in 0 to 0.2 m depth around
edges
year round (?) with extended
detention of storm "peak" in
pool for 48 - 72 hours
wetlands attract birds which can result
in significant water quality
deterioration (eutrophication) - any
roosting structures should therefore
not accommodate large numbers of
birds. Species lists for WM / EM can
possibly be used around the outer
margin of the constructed wetland.
maintenance of forebay area (litter
trap, sedimentation area, inflow
structure), vegetation maintenance in
various zones as appropriate,
maintenance of outlet structure,
maintenance of high flow bypass
channel
year round
suitable for use in pools of constructed
wetlands and sedimentation basins,
terrestrial species may also survive on
floating structures
replanting / weeding if necessary,
maintenance/repair of floating
structure (planting matrix)
Sedimentation basin
T (D)
Constructed wetlands
T; D
Floating treatment
systems
T
Pool, DM, SH,
WM/EM
Pool
Catchment, Stormwater and River Management Branch
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28 February 2011
TABLE 2: SUDS Species List
DETAILS OF “WETTING REGIMES”
POOL (>0.4m deep) hydroperiod: 12 months
DM: DEEP MARSH (0.2 - 0.4m deep) hydroperiod: 12 months
SM: SHALLOW MARSH (0 - 0.2m deep) hydroperiod: 12 months
WM: WETLAND MARGIN (0 - 0.1m deep) hydroperiod: < 9 months
EM: EPHEMERAL MARSH (0 – 0.2m Deep) hydroperiod: < 4 months
Mostly Dry = can withstand 48 to 72 hours immersion
Scientific
name
Common name
PREFERRED
WETTING
REGIME
Growth
form
Max
height
(m)
Soil type
Aponogeton
distachys
Waterblommetjie
Pool
Floating
herb
n/a
n/a
Nymphaea
nouchali
Blue Water Lily
Pool
Floating
herb
n/a
n/a
Potamogeton
pectinatus
Fonteingras
Pool
Submerged
herb
n/a
n/a
Berula erecta
Water parsnip
DM-SM
Herb
1.0m
Bolboschoenus
maritimus
Snygras
DM - SM
Graminoid:
tufted
1.2m
Catchment, Stormwater and River Management Branch
Sand or
clay
Comments
(known
propagation)
Impedes
flow?
Winter-growing
and flowering
Summer-growing
and flowering
(Division, bud
cuttings, seed)
Streamsides,
copes with high
nutrient load, has
a tendency to
take over (seed)
Fresh, saline or
brackish
conditions; fast
growing, can be
relocated and
mowed; dies back
Commercial
availability?
Y
Y
N
N
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Y
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Scientific
name
Cladium
mariscus
Eleocharis
limosa
Gunnera
perpensa
28 February 2011
Common name
Saw Grass
Sedge
River Pumpkin
PREFERRED
WETTING
REGIME
Growth
form
Max
height
(m)
Soil type
DM
Graminoid:
tufted
2.9m
Sand
DM - EM
Graminoid:
tufted
0.6m
Clay
DM
Perennial
1.0m
Comments
(known
propagation)
Impedes
flow?
end of summer
without water
(division; difficult
from seed)
Needs lownutrient conditions
(Seed)
N??
N
Saline and fresh
water, rivers and
vleis; evergreen,
can be relocated,
good barrier plant,
important for
nesting birds - NB
droppings;
evergreen
(Division – very
easy)
(Seed + smoke;
grows from plugs
or 6 pack size)
Coarse leaves,
hardy, can be
mowed (Seed,
division)
Schoenoplectus
scirpoideus
Steekbiesie
DM
Graminoid:
tufted
1.5m
Sand
Calopsis
paniculata
Besemriet
SM
Restio:
tufted
2.0m
Sand
SM-EM
Graminoid:
tufted
1.5m
Sand
2.0m
Sand
2.0m
Sand
(Cuttings)
N
1.0m
Sand
Spreading shrub,
good with tall
N
Carex clavata
Carpha
glomerata
Cliffortia
graminea
Cliffortia
odorata
Vleiriet
SM
Vleirooigrass;
Wildeertjie
SM
Wildewingerd
SM - WM
Graminoid:
tufted
Weeping
shrub
Scrambling
shrub
Catchment, Stormwater and River Management Branch
Commercial
availability?
Y
Y
Y
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Y
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Scientific
name
28 February 2011
Common name
PREFERRED
WETTING
REGIME
Growth
form
Max
height
(m)
Soil type
Comments
(known
propagation)
Impedes
flow?
Commercial
availability?
restios (Cuttings)
Cotula vulgaris
Button flower
SM-EM
Annual
0.2m
Sand
Copes with high
nutrient load
(seed)
Cyperus longus
Water Sedge
SM
Graminoid:
tufted
1.0m
Sand
(Division)
Cyperus
sphaerospermus
Sedge
SM - EM
Graminoid:
tufted
0.6m
Sand
(Division)
Y
N
Cyperus textilis
Umbrella Sedge
SM - EM
Graminoid:
tufted
1.2m
Sand
Forms dense
clumps; used in
basket making;
(Cuttings,
Division)
Ficinia hirsuta
Sedge
SM - EM
Graminoid:
tufted
0.5m
Sand
(Division)
N
Isolepis prolifer
Sedge
SM
Graminoid:
tufted
0.3m
Sand
Spreading quickly
and rooting as it
grows (Division)
N
Isolepis
rubicunda
Sedge
SM - EM
Graminoid:
tufted
0.3m
Sand
(Division)
N
1.2m
Sand
Saline or brak
conditions, very
hardy, can be
relocated, tips
very sharp;
(Seed, division)
Y
Y
0.5m
Sand
(Seed)
N
Y
1.5m
Sand
(Seed)
1.2m
Sand
Needs low
nutrient conditions
(Seed, Division)
N
Y
Juncus kraussii
Juncus
lomatophyllus
Juncus
punctorius
Kniphofia uvaria
Rush
SM - EM
Rush
SM
Rush
SM
Red Hot Poker
SM
Graminoid:
tufted
Graminoid:
tufted
Graminoid:
tufted
Perennial:
strappy
leaves
Catchment, Stormwater and River Management Branch
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Y
Y
Version: 1.0
Scientific
name
Mariscus
congestus
Mariscus
tabularis
Mariscus
thunbergii
Mentha
aquatica
Mentha
longifolia
Otholobium
virgatum
28 February 2011
Common name
PREFERRED
WETTING
REGIME
Hedgehog
Sedge
SM
Sedge
SM
Sedge
SM, EM
Water Mint
SM
Water Mint
SM
Agdaegeneesbos
Prionium
serratum
Palmiet
Pennisetum
macrourum
Beddinggras
SM-EM
Growth
form
Graminoid:
tufted
Graminoid:
tufted
Graminoid:
tufted
Forb: mat
forming
Shrub:
spreading
Forb: mat
forming
Max
height
(m)
Soil type
Comments
(known
propagation)
0.9m
Sand
(Seed, Division)
0.6m
Sand
(Seed, Division)
1.5m
Sand
(Seed, Division)
0.8m
Sand
1.0m
Sand
0.2m
Sand,
clay
(Cuttings)
N
N
N
Vigorous
(Division)
Rampant
(Division)
SM-EM
Graminoid:
shrubby
2.0m
Sand
Coarse serrated
leaves; needs low
nutrient conditions
(Division, seed)
SM
Graminoid:
tufted
1.7m
Sand
(Division)
Scirpoides
nodosus
Vleibiesie
SM, EM
Graminoid:
tufted
1.0m
Sand,
also clay
Wachendorfia
thyrsiflora
Rooikanol
SM
Geophyte
2.0m
Sand
Catchment, Stormwater and River Management Branch
Impedes
flow?
Fast growing and
very hardy, can
be relocated and
handles yearround inundation
as well as
drought, can be
mowed, coastal,
good habitat for
insects & birds
(Division, easy to
grow from seed)
Striking yellow
flowers in Nov,
pleated leaves,
good for
seasonally wet
Commercial
availability?
Y
Y
Y
N
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Y
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Scientific
name
28 February 2011
Common name
PREFERRED
WETTING
REGIME
Growth
form
Max
height
(m)
Soil type
Comments
(known
propagation)
Impedes
flow?
Commercial
availability?
N
Y
areas
Watsonia
meriana
Waspypie
Cliffortia
ericifolia
SM-EM
Geophyte
2.0m
Sand,
clay
WM
Shrub
1.0m
Sand
Cliffortia
ferruginea
Glastee
WM
Shrub
0.5m
Sand
Cliffortia
strobilifera
Vleibos
WM
Shrub
3.0m
Sand
Elegia
cuspidata
Blombiesie
WM
Restio:
tufted
1.0m
Acid sand
Elegia nudum
Reed
WM
Restio:
tufted
0.8m
Sand
Elegia rectum
Reed
WM
Restio:
tufted
0.6m
Clay
Elegia tectorum
Dakriet
WM
Restio:
tufted
1.0m
sand
Catchment, Stormwater and River Management Branch
Spring flowering,
deciduous (seed)
Needs lownutrient
conditions, acid
sand, good
texture plant
(Cuttings)
Often invasive:
use less vigorous
“Sandy Bay” form
(Cuttings)
Common fynbos
riparian shrub,
fast growing
pioneer and good
for screening
(Cuttings)
Needs low
nutrient conditions
(Seed + smoke)
Needs low
nutrient conditions
(Seed + smoke)
Clay-rich soils;
(Seed + smoke)
Cannot be
mowed, needs
low nutrient
conditions, good
habitat for insects,
frogs and reptiles
N
N
Y
N
Y
N
N
Y
N
Y
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Y
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Scientific
name
28 February 2011
Common name
PREFERRED
WETTING
REGIME
Growth
form
Max
height
(m)
Soil type
Comments
(known
propagation)
Impedes
flow?
Commercial
availability?
(Seed + smoke)
Ficinia indica
Geranium
incanum
Leonotis
leonuris
Sedge
WM - dry
Bergtee
WM
Lion’s Paw
WM
Graminoid:
tufted
Diffuse
perennial
Tall
perennial
0.4m
Sand
0.2m
Sand
2.0m
sand
Leucadendron
levisanus
Cape Flats Cone
Bush
WM
Shrub
1.5m
Monopsis lutea
Yellow Lobelia
WM
Forb: matforming
0.2m
Orpheum
frutescens
Sea Rose
WM
Forb: tufted
0.6m
Passerina
paludosa
Gonnabos
WM
Psoralea repens
WM
Shrub: fine
leaves
Spreading
ground-
Catchment, Stormwater and River Management Branch
Sand
1.5m
Sand
0.1m
Sand
(Division and
seed)
Coastal, can be
invasive (Seed )
(Seed)
Needs low
nutrient
conditions; acid
sand, neat growth
habit, slow
growing (Cuttings)
Good pioneer
species with
yellow flowers,
fast spreading,
coastal, vigorous
– may be invasive
- stabilizes soil on
banks (Cuttings)
Short-lived with
pink flowers
(Nov), but
reseeds; deeper
roots for
infiltration
(Cuttings, seed)
Neat growth habit
(Cuttings)
Coastal alkaline
sand,
N
N
Y
N
Y
N
N
Y
N
Y
N
N
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Y
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Scientific
name
28 February 2011
Common name
PREFERRED
WETTING
REGIME
Growth
form
Max
height
(m)
Soil type
cover
Impedes
flow?
Commercial
availability?
groundcover
Pteridium
aquilinum
Bracken Fern
WM
Perennial
1.5m
Sand
Salix mucronata
Cape Willow
WM
Tree
4.0m
Sand
Searsia (Rhus)
angustifolia
Wilgerkorentebos
WM
Shrub
4.0m
Senecio
halimifolius
Tabakbos
WM
Shrub
1.5m
Stenotaphrum
secundatum
Buffalo Gras
WM
Graminoid:
mat-forming
0.3m
Virgilia
oroboides
Keurboom
WM
Tree
5.0m
Sand
Berzelia
lanuginosa
Vleiknopbos
EM - WM
Shrub
2.0m
Sand
Cynodon
dactylon
Kweek
EM-WM
Graminoid:
mat-forming
0.4m
sand
Catchment, Stormwater and River Management Branch
Comments
(known
propagation)
Organically-rich
soil (Division)
Fast-growing
deciduous tree,
usually multistemmed (Seed
or cuttings)
Common fynbos
riparian shrub or
tree
Good pioneer with
yellow flowers
(Nov), fast
growing and
reseeds easily;
coastal areas;
(Cuttings)
Y
Y
(Cuttings, seed)
N
Relatively short
lived (8-15y)
(Seed)
Needs lownutrient conditions
(Seed)
Deep stolons, 1m
deep (Cuttings,
seed)
N
N
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Y
Y
Version: 1.0
Scientific
name
28 February 2011
Common name
PREFERRED
WETTING
REGIME
Growth
form
Max
height
(m)
Soil type
Comments
(known
propagation)
Impedes
flow?
Commercial
availability?
N
Y
N
Falkia repens
Oortjies
EM
Forb: matforming
0.1m
Sand
Attractive with
white flowers in
October, coastal
marshes & seeps,
moderate growth,
can be mowed
but needs
weeding until
established
(Division)
Grammatotheca
bergiana
Herb
EM
Forb: matforming
0.6m
Sand
(Cuttings)
Halleria elliptica
Bush
Honeysuckle,
Notsung
EM – WM
Shrub
2.0m
Sand
Streamsides,
damp slopes
(Cuttings)
1.0m
Sand
1.0m
Sand
Helictotrichon
turgidulum
Imperata
cylindrica
Small Oat Grass
EM
Cottonwool
Grass
EM
Isolepis ludwigii
Sedge
EM-WM
Juncus
capensis
Rush
EM
Juncus effusus
Rush
EM
Lobelia anceps
(=L. alata)
Vlei Lobelia
EM-WM
Elephant Grass
EM-WM
Merxmuellera
cincta
Morella serrata
Waterolier
EM
Graminoid:
tufted
Graminoid:
tufted
Graminoid:
tufted
Graminoid:
tufted
0.1m
0.6m
Sand
Graminoid:
tufted
0.8m
Sand
Forb: matforming
0.2m
Graminoid:
tufted
Shrub
Catchment, Stormwater and River Management Branch
Alkaline sand
Groundcover
N
Y
(Seed)
N
Y
Y
Y
N
Y
Can be invasive –
self-seeding
(seed)
Dense relatively
fast growth, can
be mowed
(Cuttings)
available
commercially
2.0m
Sand
(Division)
2.0m
Sand
(Cuttings)
Page 13 of 15
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28 February 2011
PREFERRED
WETTING
REGIME
Scientific
name
Common name
Nidorella foetida
Vleikruid
EM
Phragmites
australis
Common Reed
EM
Plecostachys
serpyllifolia
Vaaltee
Psoralea
aphylla
Growth
form
Forb:
perennial
Graminoid:
tufted
Max
height
(m)
Soil type
0.6m
Sand
(Cuttings)
3.0m
Sand
(Division)
EM-WM
Shrub:
scrambling
0.9m
Sand or
clay
Fonteinbos
EM
Shrub
4.0m
Sand
Psoralea
pinnata
Fonteinbos
EM
Shrub
4.0m
Sand or
clay
Restio
quadratus
Reed
EM
Restio:
tufted
2.0m
Sand
Restio
tetragonus
Reed
EM
Restio:
tufted
1.0m
Sand
Zantedeschia
aethiopica
Arum Lily
EM-WM
Geophyte
0.5m
Sand or
clay
Ficinia bulbosa
Sedge
Mostly dry
Ficinia capitella
Sedge
Mostly dry
Ficinia dunensis
Sedge
Mostly dry
Ficinia lateralis
Sedge
Mostly dry
Graminoid:
tufted, fine
leaves
Graminoid:
tufted, fine
leaves
Graminoid:
tufted
Graminoid:
Catchment, Stormwater and River Management Branch
0.5m
0.2m
0.2m
0.3m
Comments
(known
propagation)
Good pioneer
species, fast
growing, reseeds
easily, potentially
invasive, coastal
(Cuttings)
Fast-growing
pioneer, (Seed)
Pioneer with blue
flowers: fast
growing and
short-lived 5-10y
(Seed)
Needs low
nutrient conditions
(Seed + smoke)
Needs low
nutrient conditions
(Seed + smoke)
Coastal, grows in
sun and shade
(Division, Seed)
Inflorescences
with long wispy
bracts (Seed)
(Seed)
Sand
Dunes – alkaline
sands (Seed)
(Seed)
Impedes
flow?
Commercial
availability?
Y
Y
N
Y
N
Y
N
Y
N
Y
N
Y
N
Y
N
Y
N
Y
N
Y
Page 14 of 15
Version: 1.0
Scientific
name
28 February 2011
Common name
PREFERRED
WETTING
REGIME
Growth
form
Max
height
(m)
0.4m
Soil type
Comments
(known
propagation)
Impedes
flow?
Commercial
availability?
N
Y
tufted
Ficinia
nigrescens
Sedge
Mostly dry
Graminoid:
tufted
Ficinia pygmaea
Sedge
Mostly dry
Graminoid:
tufted
0.4m
Sand
Mostly dry
Shrub
1.0m
Sand
Muraltia mitior
Catchment, Stormwater and River Management Branch
(Seed)
Coastal alkaline
sand (Division
and seed)
(Cuttings)
N
N
Page 15 of 15